At the opening day of the 2025 Auto Guangzhou event, FAW–Audi and Huawei jointly unveiled a significant new product: the FAW-Audi A5L Qiankun Intelligent Driving Edition. This special version of the sedan enters the Chinese market with a starting price of 286,800 yuan (approximately $40,200). More importantly, it represents a global milestone, as it is the first gasoline-powered car to integrate Huawei’s cutting-edge Qiankun intelligent driving technology, a system previously seen primarily in electric vehicles.
The A5L Qiankun Smart Driving Edition is the result of deep cooperation between the two companies, combining Audi’s long-standing engineering expertise with Huawei’s rapid advancements in autonomous driving technology. The model comes equipped with an extensive suite of 33 high-precision sensing components. This hardware package includes a pair of front-mounted “digital eagle eye” laser LiDAR sensors arranged symmetrically, six millimetre-wave radars for mid- and long-range detection, thirteen high-definition cameras, and twelve ultrasonic sensors that support close-range monitoring. With this comprehensive sensor system, the vehicle can support a wide range of advanced driver-assistance features, such as urban Navigate on Autopilot (NOA), highway NOA functions, and a highly capable intelligent parking system.
One standout feature is the innovative way the LiDAR units are integrated into the vehicle’s design. Instead of protruding from the exterior, the sensors are embedded into the bodywork, which gives the A5L a sleeker, more cohesive look. These LiDAR modules also benefit from a constant-temperature self-cleaning design that helps maintain their performance in adverse conditions including rain, snow, or muddy road environments.
On the styling front, the A5L adopts Audi’s newest design philosophy. The front fascia showcases a bold, darkened grille paired with a sportier, low-profile bonnet. From the side, the car preserves the signature A5 fastback proportions, giving it a dynamic and flowing appearance. At the rear, a full-width taillight design adds a modern visual signature. The front “Star Matrix” headlights offer eight different lighting patterns, matched by an illuminated Audi badge. Meanwhile, this is the first time Audi has equipped a gasoline model with its second-generation OLED through-type taillights, which also support eight customizable light signatures. Dimensionally, the A5L features an extended wheelbase measuring 2969 mm—77 mm longer than the international A5 Limousine—and its overall length reaches 4908 mm, aligning it closely with European C-segment sedans in size.
Inside the cabin, Audi has created a driver-focused environment that features a cohesive, wraparound layout. All trims come with the brand’s “Cloud-Sense Seats” and a nine-zone intelligent panoramic sunroof that enhances interior comfort. The digital cockpit, described as a “Flowing Shadow Digital Stage,” includes an 11.9-inch digital instrument panel, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch dedicated passenger display. An optional 13.1-inch W-HUD (windscreen head-up display) further expands the technology offering. Enthusiasts of premium audio will appreciate the inclusion of a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, designed to provide an immersive listening experience.
Powering the A5L Qiankun Intelligent Driving Edition is Audi’s fifth-generation EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. This powerplant produces 201 horsepower and 340 N·m of peak torque. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the car is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, delivering a balance of efficiency, responsiveness, and refined performance.